FC Barcelona president to visit Azerbaijan for new football academy project

President of FC Barcelona Joan Laporta will travel to Azerbaijan on February 28 as part of a club delegation to discuss plans for the establishment of a new football academy.

The club aims to involve local investors in the project, which is expected to help alleviate Barcelona's ongoing financial challenges, Caliber.Az reports via Spanish media.

Laporta had previously visited Azerbaijan in November 2024, attending the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) in Baku.

As a reminder, legendary Argentine footballer Lionel Messi, along with Inter Miami teammates Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba, attended a fan event at Baku Crystal Hall during their visit to Azerbaijan. The event featured performances by the rhythm group "Natig" and singer Willy William, with a film showcasing Messi's football achievements.

Messi expressed gratitude for the warm welcome, and the event provided young Azerbaijani football players the chance to interact with the stars. Fans enjoyed a photo session and the chance to receive signed footballs.

The event, which attracted thousands, also included a charity component, with all ticket sales directed to support children from orphanages and families of martyrs from the Patriotic War. The footballers later visited the grave of Azerbaijan’s national leader Heydar Aliyev and paid respects.

By Aghakazim Guliyev